Rock of Ages: Off-Broadway musical will play at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre

The producers of Rock of Ages announced today that after an extremely successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, the musical will transfer to Broadway, opening at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 7 Apr 2009, following previews from 20 Mar 2009.

The off Broadway engagement of Rock of Ages began previews on 1 Oct 2008 and opened on 16 October 2008 at New World Stages. That production will play its final performance 4 Jan 2009. When the show closes it will have played 17 preview and 93 regular performances.

"After such an exciting run off Broadway, we are delighted to be moving Rock of Ages to Broadway," says Matthew Weaver and Carl Levin, the producers of Rock of Ages. "We know these are difficult and uncertain times for everyone, so we are thrilled to announce thatRock of Ages will set a new precedent on Broadway with a top ticket price of $89 for weeknight performances and $99 for weekend performances."

The off-Broadway production features Nova Bergeron, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Brian Munn, Angel Reed, Paul Schoeffler, Wesley Taylor, Savannah Wise, Will Swenson, Jackie Burns, Lara Janine, Tad Wilson and Jeremy Woodward.

Casting for the Broadway production will be announced soon.

The musical opened off-Broadway to mixed reviews: " Loud, low-brow, surprisingly enjoyable show." (Star-Ledger); "Isn't a bad show; it's just a lazy one." (Back Stage); "Rock of Ages shouldn't be this enjoyable, but director Kristin Hanggi whips her talented cast into a lather of headbanging goofiness." (Time Out NY); "This jukebox tuner transcends its hoary parts to become a legitimate artistic achievement." (Variety).

Written by Chris D'Arienzo (writer and director of the upcoming film Barry Munday), directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys - Associate Choreographer), Rock of Ages is set in the late 1980s and the final countdown is on for a legendary Hollywood rock club facing its demise at the hands of eager developers. When a young rocker hungry for his big break and a small town girl chasing her dreams land on the scene at this infamous venue, how far will ambition drive them? And will it be lights out for the club and all the regulars and rockers who have made it their home?

The musical features the tunes of 80's favorites, including Reo Speedwagon, Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Poison, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Quaterflash, Asia, Damn Yankees and more.

Rock of Ages premiered in Los Angeles at The Vanguard for a limited 4-week run, that was extended to 7 weeks.

Rock of Ages will be produced on Broadway by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Scott Prisand, and Corner Store Fund I, in association with Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Stefany & Simon Bergson, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Barry Habib, Israel Wolfson, Jennifer Maloney and Prospect Pictures.

Tickets for Rock of Ages go on sale on 5 Jan 2009.